Corset and the like



Dec. 22, 1931. GE. HAWES CORSET AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 13, 1930 INVENTOR. NE 5.

ATTORNEY patented 22, 1931 TED. STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE E. HAWES, OF BRIDGIEiPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE LA RESISTA CORSET COMPANY, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ,A. CORPORATION OF CONNECTI- CUT CORSET AND THE LIKE Application filed September 13, 1930. Serial No. 481,710.-

The present invention relates to improvements in foundation garments, such as corsets and the like, and has for,an object to provide a garment of this character which will permit the natural movements of the body as in sitting, walking, stooping, bending over, etc. without disturbing or changing the position of the garment. With corsets, as heretofore constructed,"there was a tendency for the back and front to slip as the body assumed Various attitudes as sitting or stooping, and at the same time there would be a pulling strain due to elongation of the body 1 and a pushing straindue to shortening, with 6 the result that upon assuming another position the friction of the body would cause the corset to shift from its previous position. There was also atendeney with these corsets, when bending over or sitting, for the 90 upper back edge to draw away and rotrude from the body. This was uncom ortable and unsightly, particularly where the wrinkles and protrusions of the shifted corset might show through a tight fitting orthin gown. In order to readjust the corset it was necessary for the wearer to pull and twist it into its proper position.

It is proposed in the present invention to provide a garment having upper and lower parts, preferably overlapped for telescoping movement with respect to each other, and which will cling independently to upper and lower partsof the body so that the natural elongation and shortening of the body in assuming various postures shifts the corset parts relatively to each other, but will not cause them to shift on the body or to protrude, so that the wearer may comfortably assume any natural attitude, without strain on or resistance from the garment, and the same will at all times be in its properly disposed position.

With the above and other objects in View, embodiments of the-invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, and these embodiments will be hereinafter more fully described with reference thereto and the inven- In the drawings:

Fig. l is a plan of the garment as it appears when laid out flat.

Fig. 2 is a sideelevation showing the garcentrally of front and back in sitting posture.

Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11' are vertical sectional views of modified forms of the invention.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures-of the drawings. v

Referring to the drawings, the garment according to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 is a corset of the so-called girdle type, the upper front edge being disposed below the bust of the wearer, but obviously the invention may be incorporated in other types of garments, as for instance a combination garment in which a bust engaging brassiere section is provided.

The garment comprises a front section consisting of an upper part 10 and a lower part 11, a back section consisting of an upper part12 and a lower part 13, an elastic side section 14 secured at its vertical edges to the vertical edges at one side of. the front and back sections, and an elastic section 15secured at one vertical edge to the vertical edge at the other side of the back section. A series of hooks 16 provided along the free vertical edge of thefront section are adapted to be hooked with a series of eyes 17 provided on the free vertical edge of the elastic section 15 to secure the garment about the wearer. The elastic sections are formed of webbing,

vertically, and at the upper. ends of each elastic section separate elastic pieces 18 and 19 are respectively provided in underlapped relation so that the garment more readily yields and conforms to the body beneath the arms. The front and back sections are preferably formed of non-elastic material, except for elastic inserts that may be provided and will hereinafter more fully pointed out, but obviously may be made of laterally yieldable elastic material such as the sections 14 and '15, or of any other suitable materiaL' The upper part of the front section is 15 together along their vertical edges, while the transverse edges are unattached so that one part may have a telescoping slipping action with respect to the other. The unattached transverse edges preferably extend to the elastic side sections so that the garment more ieadily conforms to different positions of the ody.

The upper part is preferably formed from a center and side panels seamed together, as at and 21, and is provided with a series of spaced vertical stays 22, 23, 24 and 25, of whale bone, steel, or the like, the lower ends of which are set back from the lower edge so that this edge may lie fiat.

The lowervpart 11 is also formed from a center and two side panels seamed together, as at 26 and 27, and provided along these seams with stays 28 and 29, the upper endsv of which terminate below the upper edge so that this edge may lie flat, and these seams and stays of the lower part are arranged in offset relation to those of the upper part, so that in the overlapping portions they will not be superimposed. -A triangular elastic gusset inset 30 is provided centrally at the lower edge of the power part 11.

The upper part 12 of the back section is adapted to engage the upper part of the back above the waist of the wearer, its lower'edge being curved upwardly at the center, while the lower portion 13 is adapted to engage the back and hips below the waist, and has its upper edge disposed beneath the upper part at a point substantially above the lower edge thereof, the two portions being secured together along their vertical edges adjacent the elastic sections 14 and 15, while the transvided with a series of spaced vertical stays 33, 34, 35 and 36, the lower ends of which are set back from the lower edge so that this edge may lie flat. The side panels preferably include separate upper end portions secured to thelower portions by transverse seams 37 and 38, and the center panel preferably includes an upper portion of laterally yieldable elastic material 39 secured to the lower portion by a transverse seam 40. This construction is such that the back part 12 more readily conforms to and yields to the ipper back portions of the wearer. A triangular elastic gusset insert 41 is preferably provided centrally at the lower edge of the part 12.

The lower part 13 is formed from a center and two side panels, seamed together, as at 42 and 43, and provided with a series of spaced vertical stays 44, 45, 46 and 47, the upper ends of which terminate below the upper edge so that this edge may lie flat, and these seams andstays are arranged in oflset relation'to those of the upper part so that in the overlapped portions they will not be superimposed. A triangular elastic gusset insert 48 is preferably provided centrally at the lower edge of the lower part 13.

Hose supporters 49 are secured at suitable points to the lower'edge of'the garment.

In both the front and back sections the disposition of the edges of the upper and lower parts is such that upon elongation or shortening of the body one part will not be pulled or pushed byvthe part of the body engaged by the other part.

' Upon assuming a sitting posture, as shown in Fig. 5, the parts of the garment remain in their respective position on the upper and lower parts of the body, the lengthening and shortening causing the overlapping portions to telescopically slide with res ect to each other. Irrespective of the position of the body the parts of the garment remain in their proper relation, so that upon resuming any position after having been in any other position, as when again resuming a'standing osition after sitting, the parts are automatically maintained in their proper place upon the body; The construction furthermore permits movement of the body without pulling or pushing strains, and in whatever osition is assumed there will be no wrinng, protrusion, or unsightly distortion of the garment.

In Fi 8 I have shown a modification in which t e upper edge of the lower part is secured to the upper part by elastic straps 50,and which will yield to permit the telescoping action.

In Fi 9 I have shown a modification, in which t e upper edge of the lower part is secured to the lower edge of the upper part by a thin piece of stretchable fabric material I 51, either elastic or non-elastic.'

In Fig. 10 I have shown a modification in which the upper and lower sections arenot overlapped as in the other forms, but are separated and connected together by a section of elastic webbing 52, so arranged as to yield vertically.

In Fig. 11 I have shown a modification in.

which the upper part has its lower edge disposed beneath the upper portion of the lower art. 7 I

While I have shown a garment in which both the front and back sections include relatively movable upper and lower parts it will be understood that the invention also contemplates a garment inwhich either the front or the back sections are of any other suitable construction. It will also be understood that the invention maybe incorporated in a garment having vertically disposed lacings for adjustment.

I have illustrated and described preferred and satisfactory embodiments of the invention, but it will be obvious that changes may be made therein, within the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a foundation garment, a back portion comprising an upper part adapted to engage the body at the waistline and a lower part adapted to engage the body below the waist line, said upper and lower partsvbeing vertically offset and overlapped one with respect to the other below the waist line and adapted to independently maintain their positions upon the body upon relative movement of the body below the waist line, and whereby said overlapped portions have telescoping action with respect to each other through the movement of said lower part upon lengthening and shortening of the vertebral line of the wearer below the waist line upon assuming sitting and standing postures.

2. In a foundation garment, a back portion comprising an upper part adapted to engage the body at the waist line and a lower part adapted to engage the body below the waist line, said upper and lower parts being overlapped one with respect to the other below the waist line and adapted to independently maintain their positions upon the body upon relative movement of said parts of the body, and whereby said overlapped portions have telescoping movement with respect to each other, vertically arranged stays in said upper and lower parts having their ends contiguous to the overlapped portions terminating in spaced relation to the edges of saidoverlapped portions.

3. In a foundation garment, a back portion comprising an upper part adapted to engage the body at the waist line and a lower part adapted to engage the body below the waist line, said upper and lower parts being overlapped one with respect to the other below the waist line and adapted to independently maintain their positions upon the bodyupon relative movement of said parts of the body, and wliereby said overlapped portions have telescoping movement with respect to each other, verti cally arranged stays in said upper and lower parts, the stays of the upper part being arranged in offset relation to the stays of the lower part, whereby said stays are notsuperimposed in the overlapping portions of said parts. y

4. In a foundation garment, a front portion, side portions, and a back portion disposed between'said side portions comprising.

an upper part adapted to engage the wearers body above the hip joints, and a lower part having its top edge below the top edge of the upper part and adapted to engage the body below the hip joints and embrace the buttocks,-the bottom edge of the upper part being above the bottom edge of the lower part, the ends of said bottom edge of the upper part and said top edge of the lower part being anchored one with respect to the other,

whereby said ends maintain a substantially tion, side portions, and a back portion dis posed between said side portions comprising an upper part adapted to engage the wearers body above the hip joints, and a lower part having its top edge below the top edgevof the upper part and adaptedto engage the body below the hip joints and embrace the buttocks, the bottom edge of the upper part being above the bottom edge of the lower part, the ends of said bottom edge of the up or part and said top edge of the lower part eing anchored one with respect to the other, whereby said ends maintain a substantially constant relation to each other, said edges between said anchored ends being relatively movable and whereby said back portion is adapted to expand and contract in corre spondence with the lengthening-and shortening of the vertebral line of the wearer upon assuming sitting and standing postures, and

hose supporters secured to and extending below said lower part of the back portion.

6,111 a foundation garment, a front portion, side portions, and a back portion disposed between said side portions comprising an upper part adapted to engage the wearers body at the waist line and above respect to the upper part and whereby said back portion is adapted to expand and contract in correspondence with the len hening and shortening of the vertebral line of \the wearer below the waist line upon assuming sitting and standing postures, said upper and lower parts of the back portion being overlapped to an extentsuflicient to maintain said overlapped relation upon maximum expansion of said back portion.

7. In a foundation garment, a front portion, side portions, and a back portion disposed between said side portions comprising an upper part adapted to engage the wearers body, at the waist line and above the hip joints, and a lower part having its top edge below the top edge of the upper part and adapted to engage the body below the hip joints and embrace the buttocks, the bottom edge of the upper part being above the bottom edge of the lower part, the ends of said bottom edge of the upper art being below the waist line and-anchore the ends of the top edge of the lower part bein below the waist line and said top edge of the lower part being relatively movable with respect to the upper part and whereby said back portion is adapted to expand and contract in correspondence with the lengthening and shortening of the vertebral line of the wearer below the waist line upon assuming sitting and standing postures, said upper part of the back portion being overlapped exteriorly upon said lower part to an extentsuflicient to maintain said overlapped relation upon maximum expansion of said back portion, and whereby protrusion of the upper edge of said lower part is prevented upon expansion of said back portion.

8. In a foundation garment, a front portion extending over the diaphragm, elastic side portions, and a back portion disposed between said side portions comprising an upper part adapted to engage the wearers body above the hip joints, and a lower part having its top edge below the top edge of the upper part and adapted to engage the body below the hip joints and embrace the buttocks, the bottom edge of the upper part being above the bottom edge of the lower part. the ends of said bottom edge of the upper part and said top edgev of the lower part eing anchored to said elastic 'side portions and maintained in substantially constant spaced apart relation thereb said edges between said anchored ends eing relatively movable and whereby, said back portion is adapted to expand and-contract in correspondence with the lengthening and short e'ning of the vertebral line of the wearer upon assuming sittin and standing postures.

9. In a foundation garment, a front portion, elastic side portions, and a backportiondisposed between said side portions comprising an upper. part adapted to engage the wearers body at the waist line and above the hip joints, and a lower part having its top edge below the top edge of the upper part and adapted to engage the body below the hip joints and embrace the buttocks, the bottom edge of the upper partbeing above the bottom edge of the lower part, the ends of said bottom edge of the upper part being below the waist line and anchored to said elastic side portions, the ends of the top edge of the lower part being below the waist line and said top edge of the lower part being relatively movable with respect to the upper part and whereby said back portion is adapted to expand and contract in correspondence with the lengthening and shortening of the vertebral line of the wearer below the waist line upon assuming sitting and standing postures, said upper part of the back portion being overlapped upon said lower part to an extent sufficientto maintain said overlapped relation upon maximum expansion of said back portion and whereby protrusion of the upper edge of said lower part is prevented upon expansion of said back portion.

10; In a foundation garment, a back portion, side portions, andh front portion disposed between said side portions comprising an upper part adapted to engage the wearers diaphragm, and a lower part having its top edge below the top edge of the upper part and adapted to engage the abdomen, the bottom edge of the upper part being above the bottom edge of the lower part, the ends of said bottom edge of the upper part and said top edge of the lower part being below the waist line and being anchored one with re-' spect to the other, whereby said ends maintain a substantially constant relation to each other, said bottom and top edges of the respective upper and lower parts being relaer part is prevented upon expansion of said front ortion. K

.11. n a foundation garment, a front portion, side portions, and a back portion, saidback portion comprising an upper part and a vertically offset lower part overlapping said upper partbelow the waist line, said parts adapted to respectively engage relatively movable parts of the body and to independently maintain their positions upon the body upon relative movement of said parts of the body, the upper edge of said ence with the lengthening and shortening of the vertebral line of the wearer below the waist line upon assuming sitting and standing postures.

12. In a foundation garment, a front portion, side portions and a back portion, said back portion being fixed at each side along a line extending in a substantially vertical direction from a point above the hip joints to a point below the hip joints and in a lateral line with the buttocks, said back portion being vertically expansible below the waist line and extending between an upper point above the hip joints and a lower point below the hip joints and embracing the buttocks, and whereby said back portion is adapted to expand and contract in correspondence with the lengthening and shortening of the vertebral line of the wearer below the waist line upon assuming sitting and standing postures.

13. In a foundation garment, a front portion, side portions and a back portion, said side portions being relatively non-stretchable in a substantially vertical direction from a point above the hip joints to a point below the hip joints and in a lateral line with the buttocks, said back portion being vertically expansible below the waist line and extending between an upper point above the hip joints and a lower point below the hip joints and embracing the buttocks, and whereby said back portion is adapted to expand and contract in correspondence with the lengthening and shortening of the vertebral line said upper partbelow the waistline, the upper edge of said lower part having its end portions disposed below the waist line and anchored to said side portions and its central portion extended upwardly to provide an extended vertebrae engaging portion and being relatively movable between said side portions whereby said back portion is adapted to expand and contract through movement of said lower part in correspondence with the lengthening and shortening of the vertebral line of the wearer below the waist line upon assuming sitting and standing postures.

16. In a foundation garment, a front portion extending over the diaphragm, side portions connected to said front portion, and

a back portion disposed between said side portions comprising an upper part and a vertically offset lower part secured to the side portions, said upper part adapted to engage the wearers body above the hip joints and at the waist line and said lower part adapted to engage the body below the hip joints and embrace the buttocks, the transverse edge of the lower part being arranged for upright movement relatively to the transverse edge of the upper part, and whereby said back portion is adapted to expand and contract in correspondence with the lengtheningand shortening of the vertebral line of the wearer below the waist line upon assuming sitting and standing postures, said side portions having substantial vertical stability in lateral alignment with said transverse edges of the back por-- tion.

Signed at Bridgeport, county of Fairfield. and State of Connecticut, this 6th day of September, 1930.

GEORGE E. HAWES.

of the wearer below the waist line upon assuming sitting and standing postures.

14. Ina foundation garment, a front portion, side portions and a back portion, said side portions being stretchable laterally and relatively non-stretchable in a substantially vertical direction from a point above the 7 hip joints to a point below the hip joints and in a lateral line with the buttocks, said back portion being vertically expansible below the waist line and extending between an upper point above the hip joints and a lower point below the hip joints and embracing the buttocks, and whereby said back portion is adapted to expand and contract in correspondence with the lengthening and shortening of the vertebral line of the wearer below the waist line upon assuming sitting and standing postures.

15. In a foundation garment, a front portion, side portions, and aback portion, said back portion comprising an upper part and a vertically ofi'set lower part overlapping 

